阅读说明：本技术 包括第一和第二家具部件及锁定装置的系统以及该系统的用法 (System comprising a first and a second furniture part and a locking device and use of the system ) 是由 斯特凡·布伦德尔 丹尼尔·舍恩 约翰·诺思费尔 乔尔·埃里克松 米卡埃尔·福什 于 2018-05-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种包括第一家具部件(100；100’)、第二家具部件(200；200’)和锁定装置的系统。第一家具部件包括具有插入部分(102；102’)和锁定部分(103；103’)的凹部(101；101’)。锁定部分沿其内壁包括凹槽(104；104’)。第二家具部件包括具有沿纵向方向(L)的延伸长度的壁部分。锁定装置包括：突出部(400；400’),突出部形成第二家具部件的一部分或能够附接至第二家具部件,并且突出部具有沿着纵向方向(L)朝向突出部(400；400’)的自由端部的延伸长度,并且突出部包括边沿部(401；401’),边沿部横向于纵向方向(L)延伸并沿着突出部的周缘的至少一部分延伸；锁定插塞(300；300’),锁定插塞构造成在突出部被入到插入部分中并被转移至锁定部分时的状态下锁定地插入到插入部分中。锁定插塞构造成至少部分地占据插入部分,从而阻碍突出部朝向插入部分的转移。锁定插塞包括沿纵向方向(L)延伸的摩擦表面(303；303’)。摩擦表面构造成在锁定插塞被插入到插入部分中时锁定地或楔入地邻接突出部的引导表面(402；402’)。(A system comprising a first furniture part (100; 100 '), a second furniture part (200; 200') and a locking device is provided. The first furniture part comprises a recess (101; 101 ') with an insertion portion (102; 102 ') and a locking portion (103; 103 '). The locking portion includes a groove (104; 104') along its inner wall. The second furniture part comprises a wall portion having an extension in the longitudinal direction (L). The locking device includes: a protrusion (400; 400 ') forming part of or being attachable to the second furniture part and having an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) towards a free end of the protrusion (400; 400 '), and comprising an edge portion (401; 401 ') extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) and along at least a part of a periphery of the protrusion; a locking plug (300; 300') configured to be lockingly inserted into the insertion portion in a state where the protrusion is entered into the insertion portion and transferred to the locking portion. The locking plug is configured to at least partially occupy the insertion portion, thereby impeding the transition of the protrusion toward the insertion portion. The locking plug comprises a friction surface (303; 303') extending in the longitudinal direction (L). The friction surface is configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guide surface (402; 402') of the protrusion when the locking plug is inserted into the male portion.)

1. A system comprising a first furniture part (100; 100 '), a second furniture part (200; 200') and a locking device,

the first furniture part (100; 100 ') comprises a recess (101; 101 '), the recess (101; 101 ') having a depth and having an oblong shape transverse to the depth, and the recess (101; 101 ') having an insertion portion (102; 102 ') and a locking portion (103; 103 '), wherein the locking portion (103; 103 ') comprises a groove (104; 104 ') along an inner wall of the locking portion (103; 103 '),

the second furniture part (200; 200') comprises a wall portion having an extension in the longitudinal direction (L), and

the locking device includes:

a protrusion (400; 400 '), the protrusion (400; 400 ') forming part of or being attachable to the second furniture part (200; 200 '), and the protrusion (400; 400 ') having an extension along the longitudinal direction (L) towards a free end of the protrusion (400; 400 '), and the protrusion (400; 400 ') comprising a rim (401; 401 '), the rim (401; 401 ') extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) and along at least a part of a circumference of the protrusion (400; 400 ');

and a locking plug (300; 300 '), the locking plug (300; 300') being configured to be lockingly inserted into the insertion portion (102; 102 ') in a state when the protrusion (400; 400') is inserted into the insertion portion (102; 102 ') and transferred to the locking portion (103; 103'), wherein the locking plug (300; 300 ') at least partially occupies the insertion portion (102; 102') so as to hinder the transfer of the protrusion (400; 400 ') toward the insertion portion (102; 102'), and

wherein the locking plug (300; 300 ') comprises a friction surface (303; 303 ') extending along the longitudinal direction (L), the friction surface (303; 303 ') being configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guide surface (402; 402 ') of the protrusion (400; 400 ') in a state when the locking plug (300; 300 ') is inserted into the insertion portion (102; 102 ').

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the second furniture part (200) comprises a groove (201) having an extension along the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the locking plug (300) comprises a guiding portion (302), the guiding portion (302) being configured to interact with the groove (201) so as to provide guiding of the locking plug (300) during insertion of the locking plug (300) into the insertion portion (102).

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (400) protrudes from a base portion (403) attachable to the second furniture component (200), the base portion (403) comprising a guide channel (413), the guide channel (413) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) and being aligned with the groove (201) of the second furniture component (200), and wherein the guide channel (413) is configured to slidingly receive the guide portion (302) of the locking plug (300).

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the base portion (403) comprises a flange (410) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L), the flange (410) comprising a surface (412) facing the protrusion (400), wherein the surface (412) is configured to abut an outer wall portion (105) of the first furniture part (100) in a state when the protrusion (400) is transferred to the locking portion (103).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plug (300) comprises a flange (307) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L), the flange (307) being configured to abut an outer wall portion (105) of the first furniture part (100) and cover at least a portion of a boundary (106) of the insertion portion (102) in a state when the locking plug (300) is inserted into the insertion portion (102).

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking plug (300) comprises a sliding surface (305), the sliding surface (305) being configured to be slidingly supported by an outer wall portion (202) of the second furniture part (200) during movement of the locking plug (300) along the longitudinal direction (L).

7. System according to claim 1, wherein the locking plug (300 ') is provided on a free end of a support element (310 '), the support element (310 ') having an extension along the longitudinal direction (L), and the support element (310 ') further having a further locking device (311 ') at a longitudinal distance from the free end of the locking plug (300 '), the further locking device (311 ') being configured to lockingly connect the support element (310 ') to the second furniture part (200 ') in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (L).

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the further locking device (311 ') is a plug (312 ') protruding from the support element (310 ') and configured to be lockingly received in a hole (204 ') in the second furniture part (200 '), or

Wherein the further locking means is a through hole configured to receive a fixation member (315').

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plug (312 ') is an expanded plug configured to be lockingly received in the bore (204') by the fixation member (315 ') expanding the plug (312').

10. The system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the locking plug (300 ') comprises a flange (307') extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (L), the flange (307 ') comprising a surface (320') facing a free end of the locking plug (300 '), wherein the surface (320') is configured to abut an outer wall portion (107 ') of the first furniture component (100') in a state when the locking plug (300 ') is transferred to the locking portion (103').

11. Use of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for lockingly interconnecting a first furniture part (100) and a second furniture part (200).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a system comprising a first and a second furniture part and a locking device. In addition, the invention also relates to a use of such a system.

Background

It is well known in the art to provide furniture or furniture parts which are provided to the end consumer in a flat pack and which are assembled by the end consumer himself. Although the connecting members and brackets can be standardized to a large extent according to the required tools, most brackets still present a nuisance to the end consumer since they require small and easily lost connecting means such as screws.

A locking principle for tool-less mounting of furniture parts is known which uses a pin which is inserted into a recess having an insertion portion and a locking portion, wherein the pin is inserted in the depth direction of the recess and then moved in a direction transverse to the depth direction towards the locking portion. In the case where the furniture parts to be interconnected are panels, the recess may in some cases be covered and concealed by an edge portion of one of the panels. However, in furniture where at least one of the furniture components, such as a tube, has a narrow cross-section, the cross-section may be too small to cover and conceal the insertion portion. A visible insert portion may be undesirable in some situations from an aesthetic perspective. In addition, the bi-directional movement to achieve the locking function allows for easy uninstallation simply by reversing the movement. However, in some cases, uninstallation should be avoided or at least intentionally prevented from accidents and injuries.

There is therefore a need for a furniture system with a locking device which is easy to install without any tools and which provides a locking function against unintentional uninstallation.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture system with a locking device which allows easy installation without any tools.

A second object is to provide a furniture system with such a locking device having an integrated locking function preventing unintentional uninstallation.

Another object is to provide a furniture system with such a locking device which covers and visually conceals the insertion portion.

It is a further object to provide a furniture system having such a locking device configured to connect a first furniture piece with a second furniture piece, wherein at least one of the furniture pieces is a squeeze tube or column.

These and other objects are solved by a system comprising a first furniture part, a second furniture part and a locking device, wherein the first furniture part comprises a recess having a depth and having an oblong shape transverse to the depth, and the recess has an insertion portion and a locking portion, wherein the locking portion comprises a groove along an inner wall of the locking portion; the second furniture part comprises a wall portion having an extension in the longitudinal direction, and the locking device comprises: a protrusion which forms part of the second furniture part or which can be attached thereto and which has an extent in the longitudinal direction towards a free end of the protrusion and which comprises a rim which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and along at least a part of a periphery of the protrusion; and a locking plug configured to be lockingly inserted into the insertion portion in a state in which the protrusion is inserted into the insertion portion and transferred to the locking portion, wherein the locking plug at least partially occupies the insertion portion so as to hinder the transfer of the protrusion toward the insertion portion, and wherein the locking plug comprises a friction surface extending in the longitudinal direction, the friction surface being configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guide surface of the protrusion in the state in which the locking plug is inserted into the insertion portion.

By means of the invention, a locking device is provided which is fully manually operable and which provides a firm and durable connection between the first furniture part and the second furniture part. The locking device can be used regardless of the type of material of the first furniture part or the second furniture part.

When the locking plug is fully inserted, the two furniture parts are held firmly together while unintentional or accidental release is prevented. Furthermore, an aesthetically pleasing joint is provided, since the locking plug at least partially occupies and thereby conceals the mouth of the insertion portion when fully inserted into the insertion portion. This is of particular interest in case the second furniture part has a limited cross-section which cannot cover the insertion portion itself.

The second furniture component may comprise a groove having an extension in the longitudinal direction; wherein the locking plug comprises a guiding portion configured to interact with the groove, thereby providing guidance of the locking plug during insertion of the locking plug into the insertion portion.

The locking device with its projection and slidable locking plug operates intuitively by linear movement of the two furniture parts in two directions and subsequent sliding movement of the locking plug. When the locking plug is fully inserted, the two furniture parts are held firmly together while unintentional or accidental release is prevented. Furthermore, a cosmetic joint is provided in that the locking plug at least partially occupies and thereby conceals the mouth of the insertion portion when fully inserted therein. This is of particular interest in case the second furniture part has a limited cross-section which cannot cover the insertion portion itself.

The groove may be formed by the second furniture part as a hollow profile or by being formed in a wall portion of a solid profile. The groove may be used to support other features of the furniture system, such as a rail, shelf, etc. forming a third furniture component.

The guide portion may have a cross-section preventing its removal from the groove in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the groove.

The protrusion may protrude from a base portion attachable to the second furniture component, said base portion comprising a guide channel extending along the longitudinal direction and aligned with the groove of the second furniture component, and wherein the guide channel is configured to slidingly receive the guide portion of the locking plug. The guide channel supports and guides the locking plug during sliding.

The base portion may comprise a flange extending transversely to the longitudinal direction, said flange comprising a surface facing the protrusion, wherein the surface is configured to abut an outer wall portion of the first furniture part in a state when the protrusion is transferred to the locking portion. The flange has a dual purpose: forming a limit that limits the insertion length of the base portion in the second furniture component and forming a substantially flat abutment that fills the gap between the first and second furniture components to prevent twisting.

The locking plug may comprise a flange extending transversely to the longitudinal direction, said flange being configured to abut a wall portion of the first furniture part and cover at least a part of a boundary of the insertion portion in a state when the locking plug is inserted into the insertion portion. By covering the border, the insert portion is visually obscured, thereby providing a more aesthetically pleasing joint.

The locking plug may comprise a sliding surface configured to be slidingly supported by the outer wall portion of the second furniture during movement of the locking plug in the longitudinal direction.

The system as described above may be defined as a system comprising a first furniture component and a second furniture component, the first furniture component comprising a recess having a depth and having an oblong shape transverse to the depth, and the recess comprising an insertion portion and a locking portion, wherein the locking portion comprises a groove along an inner wall; the second furniture component comprising a groove having an extension in the longitudinal direction, the groove being configured to form part of a locking device for coupling the third furniture component to the second furniture component; and the locking device further comprises: at least one projection which forms part of the second furniture part or which can be attached thereto and which has an extent in the longitudinal direction of the groove towards a free end of the projection and which comprises a rim which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the groove and along at least a part of the periphery of the projection; and a locking plug configured to be inserted into the insertion portion in a state in which the protrusion is inserted into the insertion portion and transferred to the locking portion, wherein the locking plug at least partially occupies the insertion portion so as to hinder the transfer of the protrusion toward the insertion portion, and wherein the locking plug comprises a guiding portion configured to interact with the groove of the second furniture part so as to guide the locking plug to move along a longitudinal direction of the groove during insertion of the locking plug into the insertion portion.

In a further embodiment of the system, the locking plug can be provided on a free end of a support element, which has an extension in the longitudinal direction, and which further has a further locking device at a longitudinal distance from the free end of the locking plug, which further locking device is configured to lockingly connect the support element to the second furniture part in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Thus, in this embodiment, locking is provided in both directions, i.e. in the longitudinal direction and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. This embodiment allows the two furniture parts to be easily disconnected simply by removing the engagement between the second furniture part and the further locking device and then pulling out the locking plug by gripping the support element.

The further locking means may be a plug projecting from the support element and configured to be lockingly received in a hole in the second furniture part, or a through hole configured to receive the fixation member. The engagement between the bore and the envelope surface of the plug may be provided by friction. The engagement may also be enhanced by the use of supplemental securing components, such as screws or pins. The envelope surface of the plug may be provided with friction means, such as barbs or the like.

In one embodiment, the plug may be an expanded plug configured to be lockingly received in the bore by a securing member that expands the plug. The plug may have a hollow cross-section. When the fixation member is inserted into the plug, the cross-section of the plug is enlarged, whereby the outer wall portion of the plug lockingly engages the inner wall of the hole. The locking engagement is provided by friction. It will be appreciated that the locking engagement may be enhanced by providing the envelope surface of the plug with undisclosed friction means, such as barbs or the like. The fixing member may be a screw or a pin, as an example.

The locking plug may comprise a flange extending transversely to the longitudinal direction, said flange comprising a surface facing the free end of the locking plug, wherein the surface is configured to abut the outer wall portion of the first furniture part in a state in which the locking plug is transferred to the locking portion. The flange has a dual purpose: forming a limit limiting the insertion length of the locking plug in the first furniture part and forming a substantially flat abutment covering the mouth of the insertion portion.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for the locked interconnection of a first furniture part with a second furniture part. Non-limiting examples of furniture components are drawers, joists, bases, sockets and fittings used in, for example, wardrobes. The advantages provided by such a system have been discussed more fully above. The same advantages apply to the use of such a system. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the above sections.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description, which describes various embodiments.

Drawings

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematic drawings.

Fig. 1a and 1b disclose a locking plug according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 discloses a locking plug schematically interacting with a second furniture part.

Fig. 3 discloses the projection being mounted to a second furniture component.

Fig. 4a to 4d disclose the mounting of a first and a second furniture part by using the locking plug of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 discloses a cross-section of the joint obtained when using the locking plug of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6a to 6d disclose the design and operation of a second embodiment of a locking plug.

Fig. 7a and 7b disclose cross-sections of the resulting joint when using the locking plug of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description

Starting with fig. 4a, the general design of a first embodiment of a system 1000 is disclosed. The system 1000 comprises a first furniture part 100, a second furniture part 200 and a locking device in the form of a locking plug 300 and a protrusion 400. The locking device serves to lockingly connect the first furniture part 100 and the second furniture part 200 to one another without any tools.

For convenience of the following description, the term longitudinal direction L will be used. In the context of the present invention and its description, the longitudinal direction L corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the second furniture part 200, which will be described as a post, unless further explanations are given.

First furniture component 100 includes a recess 101 having a depth that is less than the thickness of first furniture component 100. The recess 101 has an oblong shape and the recess 101 comprises along its longitudinal extension an insertion portion 102 and a locking portion 103. The insertion portion 102 and the locking portion 103 are combined to form an oblong recess 101. The diameter of the insertion portion 102 exceeds the diameter of the protrusion 400. The inner wall of the insertion portion 102 is preferably substantially smooth. The inner wall of the locking portion 103 is provided with a groove 104 at least along a wall portion opposite to the insertion portion 102. The number of grooves 104 corresponds to the number of edges 401 of the projection 400. The depth of the groove 104 corresponds to the diameter of the rim 401 of the protrusion 400.

First furniture component 100 may be formed from any suitable material, such as fiberboard, solid wood, or a plastic material. The first furniture component 100 should have a thickness large enough to allow the formation of the recess 101. The thickness is preferably at least 7mm, more preferably at least 10 mm.

The second furniture component 200 is disclosed as a hollow tube. The tube may be an extruded profile as an example. It should be understood that the cross-section of the second furniture component 200 with retention function may be solid. The second furniture component 200 has a longitudinal direction L and is configured to be mounted substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the first furniture component 100.

In the disclosed embodiment, the second furniture part 200 has a groove 201 extending in the longitudinal direction L along a longitudinal side wall 202. In the case of extruded profiles, the grooves 201 may be formed during extrusion. In the case of a solid cross-section, the groove 201 may be formed, for example, by milling.

The second furniture component 200 may be formed from any material such as metal, plastic, wood, or mixtures thereof. The groove 201 may be configured to form part of a locking device for coupling a third furniture component, not disclosed, to the second furniture component 200.

Turning now to fig. 1a, 1b and 2, a first embodiment of a locking plug 300 will be described. Locking plug 300 includes a body 301 and a guide portion 302. The body 301 and the guide portion 302 have a longitudinal extension direction a coinciding with the longitudinal direction L of the second furniture part 200. The guiding portion 302 is during use configured to extend into the groove 201 of the second furniture part 200 and along the groove 201. The width of the guide portion 302 is slightly smaller than the width of the groove 201. Thereby, the locking plug 300 is linearly movable and guided by sliding along the groove 201.

The guide portion 302 may have a cross-section preventing its removal from the groove 201 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L. This may be provided, for example, by: the guide portion 302 is provided to have an undisclosed recess having a width smaller than that of the groove 201; or a dimple or the like is provided along the longitudinal extending direction a of the guide portion 302.

The guiding portion 302 comprises a friction surface 303 extending along the longitudinal extension direction a. In the disclosed embodiment, the friction surface 303 is provided with a plurality of friction members 304 extending transversely to the longitudinal extension direction a. In the disclosed embodiment, the friction member 304 is provided as a plurality of ratchet teeth 304a, 304 b. The friction surface 303 is configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guide surface 402 of the protrusion 400, which will be described below.

The body 301 of the locking plug 300 comprises sliding surfaces 305 on opposite sides of the guiding portion 302, the sliding surfaces 305 being configured to face the outer side wall portion 202 of the second furniture part 200. The body 301 is configured to be slidingly supported by a sliding surface 305 abutting the outer side wall portion 202.

As seen in cross-section, the opposite envelope surface 306 of the body 301 has a single curved extension. This extension preferably corresponds to a cross section of the insertion portion 102 of the recess 101 as seen transversely to the depth of the insertion portion 102. The body 301 and its functions will be described below.

The locking plug 300 comprises a flange 307 extending transversely to the longitudinal extension direction a.

The locking plug 300 may be formed as a single piece, for example by injection molding a plastic material.

Turning now to fig. 3, one embodiment of a protrusion 400 is disclosed. The projection 400 has an extension in the longitudinal direction L towards a free end of the projection 400. The protrusion 400 protrudes from a base portion 403 that can be attached to the free end 210 of the second furniture part 200. It is to be understood that the base portion 403 with retaining function may be integral with the second furniture part 200 and thus form part of the second furniture part 200. The base portion 403 is configured to be lockingly inserted into the free end 210 of the second furniture component 200. The outer wall portion 404 of the base portion 403 comprises a plurality of friction means 405, said plurality of friction means 405 being configured to lockingly interact with the inner wall 203 of the second furniture part 200.

The base portion 403 comprises a flange 410 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L. The flange 410 includes a first surface 411, the first surface 411 configured to abut the free end 210 of the second furniture component 200. In addition, the flange 410 includes a second surface 412 facing the protrusion 400. The second surface 412 is configured to abut the outer wall portion 107 of the first furniture member 100 in a state when the protrusion 400 is transferred to the locking portion 103 of the recess 101.

The flange 410 comprises a guide channel 413, the guide channel 413 being aligned with the groove 201 of the second furniture component 200 when the base portion 403 is attached to the second furniture component 200. Guide channel 413 is configured to slidingly receive guide portion 302 of locking plug 300. The guide channel 413 may have a longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction L along a portion of the base portion 403.

The projection 400 comprises a plurality of edges 401 extending transversely to its longitudinal extension. The edge portions 401 are arranged one after the other along the longitudinal extension. It is to be understood that the number of the rim portions 401 may be at least one rim portion having a holding function. The rim 401 constitutes a locking means, to be discussed below, configured to lockingly engage with the groove 104 in the locking portion 103 of the recess 101.

The protrusion 400 is disclosed as being provided with a chamfer 408, the chamfer 408 providing the protrusion 400 with a non-rotational cross-section. Thus, the rim 401 is only provided along a part of the envelope surface of the protrusion 400.

Turning now again to fig. 4a, the operation of the system 1000 with the locking plug 300 described above will be described. The system 1000 will be described based on a piece of furniture having a frame-like design with a top panel 1100 and a bottom panel 1200 and four posts 1300 extending between the top panel 1100 and the bottom panel 1200. Each panel 1100, 1200 forms a first furniture component 100 and each column 1300 forms one of the four second furniture components 200.

The first furniture part 100 comprises a recess 101 which is designed as described above. Furthermore, each second furniture part 200 is provided with a protrusion 400 arranged in the free end 210 of the second furniture part 200 and with a locking plug 300 slidingly received in the longitudinally extending groove 201.

As a first step, see fig. 4a, the operator moves the free end 210 of the second furniture part 200 in the longitudinal direction L towards the insertion portion 102 of the recess 101. The second furniture component 200 has been prepared by inserting the guide portion 302 of the locking plug 300 into the groove 201 and also inserting the base portion 403 of the protrusion 400 into the hollow column 1300. In this position, locking plug 300 is prevented from falling off by base portion 403.

When mounting the second furniture part 200 to the first furniture part 100, the second furniture part 200 is moved towards the first furniture part 100 by a linear movement perpendicular to the main surface of the first furniture part 100. During this movement, the free end of the projection 400 is inserted and received in the insertion portion 102 of the recess 101.

When fully inserted, see fig. 4b and 5, the second furniture part 200 is pushed linearly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the second furniture part 200. During pushing, the protrusion 400 will move from the insertion portion 102 of the recess 101 towards the locking portion 103. When the projection 400 is fully inserted into the locking portion 103, the edge 401 of the projection 400 engages with the groove 104 in the inner wall of the locking portion 103, thereby hindering relative movement between the first and second furniture parts 100, 200 in the longitudinal direction L.

As a result, the mouth of the insertion portion 102 is made open, see fig. 4 c. In addition, the second furniture part 200 is movable in the reverse direction, thereby allowing for unintentional disassembly of the furniture. To prevent this, the next step is now performed: the locking plug 300 is pushed towards the insertion portion 102 in the longitudinal direction L by applying pressure to the flange 307 of the locking plug 300. The locking plug 300 is pushed all the way down into the male part 102, see fig. 4d and 5.

In this locked position, the body 301 and the guide portion 302 of the locking plug 300 occupy the insertion portion 102 of the recess 101. More specifically, in the locked position, the friction surface 303 of the locking plug 300 lockingly and/or wedgingly abuts the chamfered guide surface 402 of the protrusion 400. In addition, the envelope surface 306 of the body 301 may abut the inner wall of the insertion portion 102. Thereby preventing the second furniture part 200 from moving in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L.

As best seen in fig. 5, when the locking plug 300 is fully inserted, the lowest friction member 304b in the lower end of the locking plug 300 lockingly engages with the corresponding recess 409 in the free end of the protrusion 400. This engagement prevents removal of the locking plug 300. Further, this engagement may be used to provide tactile and/or audible confirmation to the operator that the locking plug 300 has been fully inserted.

In addition, in this position, the flange 307 of the locking plug 300 is flush with the free end 210 of the second furniture part 200. Similarly, in the opposite end of the recess 101 in the vicinity of the locking portion 103, the flange 410 of the base portion 403 abuts the outer wall portion 107 of the first furniture part 100, while also supporting the free end 210 of the second furniture part 200.

The cross-sectional extension of the flange 307 is greater than the cross-section of the insertion portion 102. Thereby, the flange 307 is configured to abut the outer wall portion 105 of the first furniture part 100 and cover at least a part of the boundary 106 of the insertion portion 102 and also abut the outer wall 107 of the first furniture part 100 in the state when the locking plug 300 is inserted into the insertion portion 102. Thus, the flange 303 visually obscures the male portion 102, which makes the joint more aesthetically appealing.

Turning now to fig. 6a to 6d, a second embodiment of a system 1000' is disclosed. System 1000 ' includes a first furniture component 100 ', a second furniture component 200 ', and a locking device. The locking device includes a locking plug 300 'and a protrusion 400'.

Referring to fig. 6a, a first furniture component 100 ', illustrated as panel 1100 ', includes a recess 101 '. The recess 101 ' has the same design as previously described in relation to fig. 4c, i.e. the recess 101 ' has an oblong shape and the recess 101 ' comprises an insertion portion 102 ' and a locking portion 103 ' along its longitudinal extension. The insertion portion 102 ' and the locking portion 103 ' combine to form an oblong recess 101 '. The diameter of the insertion portion 102 'exceeds the diameter of the protrusion 400'. The inner wall of the insertion portion 102' is preferably substantially smooth. The inner wall of the locking portion 103 ' is provided with a recess 104 ' at least along the wall portion opposite to the insertion portion 102 '. The number of grooves 104 ' corresponds to the number of edge portions 401 ' of the projection 400 '. The depth of the groove 104 ' corresponds to the diameter of the rim 401 ' of the protrusion 400 '.

The second furniture part 200 ' is illustrated as panel 1200 ', the panel 1200 ' being provided with a protrusion 400 ' along one of its lateral edge portions 1201 '. The projection 400 ' has an extension in the longitudinal direction L of the second furniture part 200 ' towards the free end of the projection 400 '.

The projection 400 'comprises a plurality of edges 401' extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L. The edge portions 401 'are arranged one after the other along the longitudinal extension of the projection 400'. It is to be understood that the number of the rim portions 401' may be at least one rim portion having a holding function. The rim 401 'constitutes a locking means configured to lockingly engage with the groove 104' in the locking portion 103 'of the recess 101'. The protrusion 400 'is disclosed as being provided with a chamfer 408', the chamfer 408 'providing the protrusion 400' with a non-rotational cross-section. Thus, the rim 401' is only provided along a part of the envelope surface of the protrusion 400.

The installation of the first furniture part 100 'and the second furniture part 200' is the same as previously described. As a first step, see fig. 6a, the operator moves the free end 210 'of the second furniture part 200' in the longitudinal direction L towards the insertion portion 102 'of the recess 101'.

Then, the second furniture part 200 'is moved towards the first furniture part 100' by a linear movement perpendicular to the main surface of the first furniture part 100 ', so that the free end of the protrusion 400' is inserted and received in the insertion portion 102 'of the recess 101'. When fully inserted, see fig. 6b, the second furniture part 200 ' is pushed linearly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the second furniture part 200 ' by applying a force to the second furniture part 200 '. During the pushing, the protrusion 400 ' moves from the insertion portion 102 ' toward the locking portion 103 '. When the protrusion 400 'is fully inserted into the locking portion 103', the edge portion 401 'engages with the groove 104' in the inner wall of the locking portion 103 ', thereby hindering relative movement between the first and second furniture parts 100', 200 'along the longitudinal extension of the protrusion 400'.

This movement of the second furniture part 200 ' results in the mouth of the insertion portion 102 ' being open, see fig. 6c, and in addition the second furniture part 200 ' is movable in the reverse direction, thereby allowing an unintentional disassembly of the furniture. To conceal the male portion 102 'and also prevent inadvertent disconnection, the locking plug 300' of the second embodiment may be used.

The locking plug 300 'of the second embodiment is provided on the free end of the support element 310'. The locking plug 300 ' and the support element 310 ' have an extension in the longitudinal direction L of the second furniture part 200 '. The locking plug 300 ' is provided by a body 301 ', the body 301 ' having a single-curved extension when viewed in cross-section, the single-curved extension having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the insertion portion 102 ' of the recess 101 '.

The locking plug 300 'comprises a friction surface 303' extending along the longitudinal direction L. The friction surfaces 303 'are configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut corresponding guide surfaces 402' provided by the chamfers 408 'of the protrusions 400' in a state when the locking plug 300 'is inserted into the insertion portion 102'.

The locking plug 300 ' comprises at its rear end a flange 307 ', the flange 307 ' having an extension transverse to the longitudinal direction L. The cross-section of the flange 307 'is larger than the cross-section of the insertion portion 102'. Flange 307 ' includes a surface 320 ' facing the free end of locking plug 300 '. The surface 320 ' is configured to abut the outer wall portion 107 ' of the first furniture part 100 ' and cover at least a part of the boundary 106 ' of the insertion portion 102 ' and also abut the outer wall portion 107 ' of the first furniture part 100 ' in the state when the locking plug 300 ' is inserted into the insertion portion 102 '.

The support element 310 ' has a further locking means 311 ' at a longitudinal distance from the free end of the locking plug 300 ', see fig. 6 c. The further locking device 311 ' is configured to lockingly connect the support element 310 ' to the second furniture part 200 ' in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L. In the disclosed embodiment, the further locking means 311 'is a plug 312', which plug 312 'protrudes from the support element 310' and is configured to be lockingly received in a corresponding hole 204 'provided in the second furniture part 200'. The plug 312 ' is provided with a plurality of friction members 314 ' on its outer envelope surface 313 '. The disclosed plug 312' is an expander plug having a hollow cross-section.

The support element 310 ' with the locking plug 300 ' and the further locking means 311 ' may be provided as an integral unit, for example formed by injection moulding of a plastic material.

When using the locking plug 300 'according to this embodiment, see fig. 6c, the locking plug 300' is pushed together with the support element 310 'in the longitudinal direction L towards the insertion portion 102'. The locking plug 300 'is pushed all the way down into the insertion section 102', and then the plug 312 'of the further locking device 311' is inserted into the hole 204 'of the second furniture part 200', see fig. 6 d. The inherent flexibility of support element 310 ' facilitates insertion of plug 312 ' into hole 204 '. In this position, the support element 310 ' will abut closely against the outer wall portion 202 ' of the second furniture part 200 '. Furthermore, a flange 307 ' at the rear end of the locking plug 300 ' abuts the outer wall portion 107 ' of the first furniture part 100 ', thereby concealing the mouth of the insertion portion 102 '.

As best seen in fig. 7a and 7b, in this position, the locking plug 300 'at least partially occupies the insertion portion 102', thereby hindering the transition of the protrusion 400 'towards the insertion portion 102'. This is provided by the envelope surface 306 'of the body 301' of the locking plug 300 'abutting the inner wall of the insertion portion 102'. Thereby, the second furniture part 200' is prevented from moving in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L. In addition, friction surface 303 'of locking plug 300' lockingly abuts guide surface 402 'of protrusion 400'.

As disclosed in fig. 7a and 7b, plug 312 'is an expanded plug configured to be lockingly received in bore 204' by a securing member 315 'that expands plug 312'. Plug 312' has a hollow cross-section. When the securing member 315 ' is inserted into the plug 312 ', the cross-section of the plug is enlarged, whereby the outer wall portion of the plug lockingly engages the inner wall of the hole 312 '. Thus, the locking engagement is provided by friction. It will be appreciated that the locking engagement may be enhanced by providing the envelope surface of the plug 312' with undisclosed friction means, such as barbs or the like. The fixing member 315' may be a screw or a pin, as an example.

As an undisclosed alternative where the additional locking means 311 'is a plug, the plug with the holding function may be replaced by a through hole configured to receive a fixation member, such as a screw, engaged with the second furniture part 200'.

It is noted that fig. 7a and 7b disclose a protrusion 400 'as an alternative to being attached to the second furniture part 200' by inserting a hollow profile, which protrusion 400 'may be attached by e.g. a fixation member 410', such as a plug or a screw.

Although the projections 400, 400' are disclosed as having a chamfered cross-section, it should be understood that other cross-sections are possible, such as a circular cross-section.